I've watched a lot of swimmers in elite competition in for instance 1500m who breathe every stroke. However when I swim distance I still have to use bilateral breathing. I've tried breathing every stroke like they do, but I find myself getting light headed. What's the best way to learn to control your breathing to do long distance well? Thanks,
David
David,
Good question and I've noticed the same ... except I'd say their breathing pattern is every 2 strokes (e.g., always breathe to the left or to the right). I grew up a distance swimmer training to breathe every 3 strokes as a classic bilateral pattern. Nowadays I do some variant of a 2-2-3-2-3-2, etc. pattern (e.g., breathe R,R,L,L,R,R, etc.). This seems to allow me to get more air and keep the bilateral component that I feel I need for stroke balance.
In short course meters, my aim was to breath 2 to the right, then 3 or 4 to the left and that would take me through a lap. In swimming long course, I'll be more likely to do 4 breaths consistently to the same side before doing a 3 stroke count to then switch to breathe to the other side. I'm still stronger breathing to the left side, so I always have a little imbalance and breathe more to that side.
The trick is to find the mix that works best for you.
David,
Good question and I've noticed the same ... except I'd say their breathing pattern is every 2 strokes (e.g., always breathe to the left or to the right). I grew up a distance swimmer training to breathe every 3 strokes as a classic bilateral pattern. Nowadays I do some variant of a 2-2-3-2-3-2, etc. pattern (e.g., breathe R,R,L,L,R,R, etc.). This seems to allow me to get more air and keep the bilateral component that I feel I need for stroke balance.
In short course meters, my aim was to breath 2 to the right, then 3 or 4 to the left and that would take me through a lap. In swimming long course, I'll be more likely to do 4 breaths consistently to the same side before doing a 3 stroke count to then switch to breathe to the other side. I'm still stronger breathing to the left side, so I always have a little imbalance and breathe more to that side.
The trick is to find the mix that works best for you.
